Western United has a chance at a club-record fifth straight Isuzu UTE A-League Men victory when it takes on rivals Melbourne City on Tuesday night. Read the Match Preview presented by Red Bull Australia.
Match Details
2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 17
Melbourne City vs Western United
Tuesday, 7 January
Kick-off: 6:00pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Western United Team News
John Aloisi has recalled three youngsters into his extended squad with Jake Najdovski, Oliver Lavale and Luka Coveny all promoted.
Jordan Lauton drops out of the side due to suspension after his incredible red card last Friday night, receiving a second caution after removing his shirt following that dramatic bicycle kick winner.
Hiroshi Ibusuki will be hoping to return to the starting XI as Aloisi rotates the squad through a congested period of fixtures.
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 5. Oliver LAVALE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Noah BOTIC, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matthew SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 37. Luke VICKERY, 47. Luka COVENY, 77. Riku DANZAKI
Last time out
Western United defeated Perth Glory 3-2 on Friday night in what was one of the most amazing wins in the Club’s history.
With Perth leading having scored either side of Matthew Grimaldi’s first-half strike, it seemed as though a first defeat for a month was incoming.
But the Green and Black’s belief never wavered and after Tate Russell equalised at the beginning of stoppage time, Lauton went one better with the most remarkable winner, sparking wild celebrations.
Previous Meetings
Western United has played Melbourne City more times than any other team in the Isuzu UTE A-League, enjoying some of its most famous results.
The most notable remains the 2022 Grand Final, the final win of a run of four triumphs in five matches.
Aloisi’s men last defeated City in Round 1 of last season with a late Noah Botic penalty securing a 2-1 win on that occasion.
Key Matchup: Dylan Leonard vs Arion Sulemani
A pair of Victorian youngsters will go head to head in this game with Dylan Leonard looking to continue his fantastic form up against City’s Arion Sulemani.
The 17-year-old centre-back has been incredible in his debut season, missing only one game due to suspension and slotting in seamlessly at the back.
There’s been a bit of everything for the youngster with a goal, an assist, an own goal and a red card across his 10 appearances so far, but with each week brings more experience and even greater composure and quality from the Young Socceroo.
United hasn’t kept a clean sheet against City since that Grand Final triumph in May 2022, and Leonard will need to be alert to stop Sulemani for the home side.
The young striker has played in six Isuzu UTE A-League matches so far this season and will eager to score his first senior goal in a big derby game.
The pair were teammates for the Young Socceroos in July 2024 and Leonard will be looking to get the better of someone he knows well and help his side pick up an important win.
Western United Player to Watch: Tate Russell
If not for Lauton’s spectacular equaliser, a fair bit of the post-game discourse would have surrounded Russell after a much-deserved first Western United goal.
The right-back continues to grow into life at Western United after joining in the off-season, offering his trademark energy and tenacity down the right-hand side.
Approaching the halfway point of the season, Russell will continue to be a key part of a young and ever-improving Western United defence.
Words from John Aloisi
Watch John Aloisi’s full pre-match press conference below.
